Atheist Nexus2015-03-04T01:00:55Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovenderhttp://api.ning.com:80/files/bIBgOihCJLB8UzZ1psu521*ivr39nb3SpLmvURal4zatLuVTy4JErfgPZE*lWeHonl*Ul1XGBeSIWnyzdJV5FJBU05FRE5Su/atheista.png?width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.atheistnexus.org/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=21qao9alm4m6w&feed=yes&xn_auth=noFemale Equalitytag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-03:2182797:Topic:25781682015-03-03T22:53:28.174Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I just signed the petition "Federal Party Leaders: Join an Election Debate that Speaks to Women" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.</p>
<p>Our goal is to reach 2,500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I just signed the petition "Federal Party Leaders: Join an Election Debate that Speaks to Women" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.</p>
<p>Our goal is to reach 2,500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.change.org/p/federal-party-leaders-join-an-election-debate-that-speaks-to-women?recruiter=89915719&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=share_email_responsive" target="_blank">https://www.change.org/p/federal-party-leaders-join-an-election-debate-that-speaks-to-women?recruiter=89915719&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=share_email_responsive</a></p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Patricia</p> Introducing myselftag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-03:2182797:Topic:25782482015-03-03T21:49:34.136Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am new on Atheist Nexus, and since i joyfully and interested sniffing around in forums, groups, blogs and the chat, i thought a proper introduction would be good.</p>
<p>My name is Rosita, and i am 25 years old. Even though i might have lived a life worth of 80 years in experience, so age shouldnt matter. I live in the beautiful, very small, but famous for its freedom, country named the Netherlands. In case you dont know where this is.. it is that small dot next to Germany,…</p>
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am new on Atheist Nexus, and since i joyfully and interested sniffing around in forums, groups, blogs and the chat, i thought a proper introduction would be good.</p>
<p>My name is Rosita, and i am 25 years old. Even though i might have lived a life worth of 80 years in experience, so age shouldnt matter. I live in the beautiful, very small, but famous for its freedom, country named the Netherlands. In case you dont know where this is.. it is that small dot next to Germany, Belgium, France, England on the map.</p>
<p>I grew up in a fundamentalist christian family. My great grand father was one of the people who founded the first "Church of brotherhood / Counsil of believers / Darbist church" or whatever labels the very small and narrow minded church had. A small community where everyone was my aunt or uncle. But growing up in the Netherlands my parents didnt succeed the way their parents did to keep me in this sektarian like community, and i grew up in an atheist neighbourhood and school also. Because of this i was a very confused child, and i needed and wanted answers. So i sticked my head into books, movies, and my own surroundings and developed myself in that way. At the age of 17 i have had many many dissapointments in human beings. At this age i sadly converted myself to christianity in the old community i had abandonded at the age of twelve. This lasted two years. I couldnt believe that this was something that should be connected to a God. And i went the whole opposite site, shocking my surroundings by going to parties, drinking and using drugs. At the age of 21 this all went wrong, and i collapsed. It was then that i sadly again returned to christianity, but this time not the old strict surroundings i grew up in, but the hysterical world of baptist and evangelical believing system. I became an christian extremist, avoiding all the possible evil in the world. Didnt listen to music, didnt watch tv and studied bible every day. I became a youth leader and street evangelist. In my holidays i was preaching in the summer church on festivals.</p>
<p>It was because of my studies in psychology, my work surroundings involving abused children, psychiatry and later mentally disabled people. But also the struggle on my best homosexual christian friend, the weird systems of church and my new friendships with muslims and atheists, and suddenly the whole religious system didnt make sense anymore. I became to question it, following by not being allowed to be a youth leader again, losing some of my best friends. And so i studied more, and more and more..... and after a battle of two years i finnaly could say.. Maybe a God.. (i dont believe in God anymore, maybe as in energy or in love) but the bible? No way... Christianity? Maybe a some kind of good moral living vieuw.. but No.. There is more than one truth, and the truth is not found here. And so i left.. at the age of 24 i began to "come out" as an atheist.. my family struggles with it, but accepts it. Now, one year later i want to enlarge my world even more, and share the road i have walked. This is a brief history ofcourse, but there was more going on behind these letters. But for now i think it is a nice short explenatation on how i got here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I really hope to make some connections here with people around the world sharing the same vieuws.</p>
<p>Much greetings, Rosita</p>
<p></p> BRUTALLY HONEST: A double dose of David 2tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-02:2182797:Topic:25778562015-03-02T19:27:08.898Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>I have a double-dose of BRUTALLY HONEST commentary from my Atlanta-based buddy David 2 for you to take a look at this week.</p>
<p>First off, I'm sure you've all seen ads from all sorts of eateries - Hardee's/Carl's Jr., Jack In The Box, Wendy's Applebee's, Denny's, et.al., talking about their food - specifically certain types of food they want you to try because, well, it's THE BEST EVER!!</p>
<p>Sometimes, those ads get to be a bit overstated though - and there's a term for it. What is…</p>
<p>I have a double-dose of BRUTALLY HONEST commentary from my Atlanta-based buddy David 2 for you to take a look at this week.</p>
<p>First off, I'm sure you've all seen ads from all sorts of eateries - Hardee's/Carl's Jr., Jack In The Box, Wendy's Applebee's, Denny's, et.al., talking about their food - specifically certain types of food they want you to try because, well, it's THE BEST EVER!!</p>
<p>Sometimes, those ads get to be a bit overstated though - and there's a term for it. What is that term? David takes a look at it - and what you can do about it: <a href="http://brutallyhonestcolumn.blogspot.com/2015/02/week-of-02232015.html">http://brutallyhonestcolumn.blogspot.com/2015/02/week-of-02232015.html</a></p>
<p>Secondly, if anyone watched The Oscars last week, you may have noticed several references to the number of superhero films that have or will be coming out - and most of those references were less-than-supportive, to say the lease.</p>
<p>David himself is a fan of - and on-line creator for - superhero comics and movies. I've read his stuff and it's pretty darn good, in my opinion. But why is there so much hate for the superhero genre these days? David shares his perpsective on why: <a href="http://brutallyhonestcolumn.blogspot.com/2015/03/week-of-03022015.html">http://brutallyhonestcolumn.blogspot.com/2015/03/week-of-03022015.html</a></p>
<p>As always, your thoughts and opinions are welcome, either here or on David's page.</p> President Obama and Religiontag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-02:2182797:Topic:25776492015-03-02T13:52:58.753Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>I don't usually voice my disapproval of President Obama too much or too loudly. But in this case, I believe I have no choice. Here is a recent editorial about why I think his rhetoric about religion is dangerous.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.morrissuntribune.com/opinion/editorials/3689135-michael-lackey-president-obama-and-religion">http://www.morrissuntribune.com/opinion/editorials/3689135-michael-lackey-president-obama-and-religion</a></p>
<p>I don't usually voice my disapproval of President Obama too much or too loudly. But in this case, I believe I have no choice. Here is a recent editorial about why I think his rhetoric about religion is dangerous.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.morrissuntribune.com/opinion/editorials/3689135-michael-lackey-president-obama-and-religion">http://www.morrissuntribune.com/opinion/editorials/3689135-michael-lackey-president-obama-and-religion</a></p> 2 Books: 1) Those new to field of Logical Reasoning 2) How beliefs formed, The Scientific Methodtag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-01:2182797:Topic:25773492015-03-01T17:55:01.307Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>First, no I don't own stock or are connected to these books, ha. In a local Atheist internet group, these books were recommended and are really was done well (writing, quotes, concept, illustrations). Thus, I share books/resources that will make wonderful gift for others or a personal item for oneself. Both books are written by <span>Secular author </span><span>David</span><span> G. </span><span>McAfee</span><span> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p>1) An Illustrated Book of Bad arguments</p>
<p>Geared…</p>
<p>First, no I don't own stock or are connected to these books, ha. In a local Atheist internet group, these books were recommended and are really was done well (writing, quotes, concept, illustrations). Thus, I share books/resources that will make wonderful gift for others or a personal item for oneself. Both books are written by <span>Secular author </span><span>David</span><span> G. </span><span>McAfee</span><span> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p>1) An Illustrated Book of Bad arguments</p>
<p>Geared to: Those new to field of Logical Reasoning </p>
<p><a href="https://bookofbadarguments.com/">https://bookofbadarguments.com/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>2) The Belief Book</p>
<p>Geared to: Those who want to know 'how' beliefs and religions started. Also teaches The Scientific Method which is how we learn new things about the world</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/31/the-belief-book-teaches-children-about-religion-from-an-atheist-perspective/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/31/the-belief-book-teaches-children-about-religion-from-an-atheist-perspective/</a></p> American Atheist Blogger Ajivit Roy Hacked to Death in Bangladeshtag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-01:2182797:Topic:25773322015-03-01T15:17:09.270Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/27/american-atheist-blogger-hacked-to-death-in-bangladesh" target="_blank">Theguardian.com</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm moved that there was a protest after his murder. That shows there are some courageous people and not all are cogs in the Muslim machine.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Atheists are murdered fairly regularly in Muslim countries. In some, it's extrajudicial. In others, it's the government that commits the crime. </p>
<p><br></br>From the linked…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/27/american-atheist-blogger-hacked-to-death-in-bangladesh" target="_blank">Theguardian.com</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm moved that there was a protest after his murder. That shows there are some courageous people and not all are cogs in the Muslim machine.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Atheists are murdered fairly regularly in Muslim countries. In some, it's extrajudicial. In others, it's the government that commits the crime. </p>
<p><br/>From the linked article - worth reading -</p>
<p><em>After Haider’s death, Bangladesh’s hardline Islamist groups started to protest against other campaigning bloggers, calling a series of nationwide strikes to demand their deaths, accusing them of blasphemy.</em></p>
<p><em>The secular government of the Bangladeshi prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, reacted by arresting some atheist bloggers.</em></p>
<p><em>The government also blocked about a dozen websites and blogs to stem the furore over blasphemy, as well as stepping up security for the bloggers.</em></p>
<p></p> Gun Nexustag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-01:2182797:Topic:25772152015-03-01T14:22:00.056Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>The current forum topics and number of replies.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Guns. 254</p>
<p>Guns. 316</p>
<p>Activism against religion. 138</p>
<p>Physician Assisted Suicide. 19</p>
<p>Religion as virus. 8</p>
<p>Antivaccinationism. 9</p>
<p>Darwin Day in Pennsylvaina. 7</p>
<p>Joke about car in Burka. 5</p>
<p>Catholic hegemony of the US supreme court. no discussion.</p>
<p>Religious leader on the lam in Brazil arrested for pederasty. no discussion.</p>
<p>American atheist blogger hacked to…</p>
<p>The current forum topics and number of replies.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Guns. 254</p>
<p>Guns. 316</p>
<p>Activism against religion. 138</p>
<p>Physician Assisted Suicide. 19</p>
<p>Religion as virus. 8</p>
<p>Antivaccinationism. 9</p>
<p>Darwin Day in Pennsylvaina. 7</p>
<p>Joke about car in Burka. 5</p>
<p>Catholic hegemony of the US supreme court. no discussion.</p>
<p>Religious leader on the lam in Brazil arrested for pederasty. no discussion.</p>
<p>American atheist blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh. no discussion.</p>
<p>Religious destruction of historic artifacts in Levant. no discussion.</p>
<p>Baronelle Stutzman, florist who lost case regarding discrimination against gay couple, now a religious hero and may lose her business and savings for standing up for her religious - but discriminatory -belief. no discussion.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There's another recent gun discussion, maybe that can be dug up and re-discussed too.</p>
<p></p>
<p>People can discuss anything they want, as long as it does not violate terms of service. If a topic is not worth following, or the same thing is said repeatedly, or it's just not my interest, I use the "stop following" button. Topics, and the character of Atheist Nexus itself, tend to run in cycles and one thing replaces another as people burn out.</p> Is religion a virus of the mind?tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-01:2182797:Topic:25770402015-03-01T03:24:27.992Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>With a short engagement on the chat I felt that this topic should be explored further. I will start out with definitions my argument and pitiful excuse for a conclusion, My goal is to either change minds or have mine own be changed.</p>
<p></p>
<p> A virus is "<span>an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host". "</span><b>Viruses</b> cannot…</p>
<p>With a short engagement on the chat I felt that this topic should be explored further. I will start out with definitions my argument and pitiful excuse for a conclusion, My goal is to either change minds or have mine own be changed.</p>
<p></p>
<p> A virus is "<span>an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host". "</span><b>Viruses</b> cannot reproduce on their own, they require other cells. They are sort of half <b>alive</b>. they don't have the ability to survive on their own, they only can reproduce with the help of a host whereas every other living creature can survive independently".</p>
<p>A thinking person is one that can think for themselves in reference to knowing that your hungary and knowing that eating food will fix the problem. As children under a certain age are not developed enough and, those that are extremely disabled are the only qualifications (that I can think of) for not being a thinking person; I would make the claim that most of every person on this planet is a thinking person.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It is with these definitions that I make the claim that religion is a virus that infects the mind of thinking people. I do not mean virus in the biological scenes but in the same spirit that allowed computer viruses to earn their moniker. A virus of the mind transmitted the same way as ideas from person to person infecting minds that are either not already infected or finding a weaker strain of religion that can be dominated and the host body infected. As most common day virus' from those accepted in nature like the flu or a computer virus which affect specific infected functions like your nose or your computer's BIOS and cause things to while still working affect how they work; the mind virus which would only infect the brain might have effects can could be observed from the outside. </p>
<p>(Warning Bias Ahead)</p>
<p>I would make the leap that people infected do show symptoms of what we do consider normal religious behavior such as going and taking your children to church, protecting yourself and others from another virus, and in the extreme cases even attacking others for not being infected and refusing to be infected with the aggressors particular strain. The goal always being to keep the virus alive and thriving the infected spread out to places where they believe they can infect others and battling other viruses for control of the would be food source, us.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sorry for any errors, I used to be a grammar nazi but in these days it's hard to keep spelling and grammar as a priority as I strive to be a functioning member of an infected society.</p> DARWIN DAY RESOLUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA - 2015tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-02-28:2182797:Topic:25767242015-02-28T08:50:38.706Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p>We can have hope for Americans, says this from NCSE.COM</p>
<p>House Resolution 83, introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on February 26, 2015, would, if enacted, express the House's recognition of February 12, 2015, as Darwin Day.<br></br> <br></br> The resolution acknowledges the 206th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, honors his discovery of natural selection, and the theory's role as "the foundation for ongoing advances in science, health, <br></br> philosophy, art, education,…</p>
<p>We can have hope for Americans, says this from NCSE.COM</p>
<p>House Resolution 83, introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on February 26, 2015, would, if enacted, express the House's recognition of February 12, 2015, as Darwin Day.<br/> <br/> The resolution acknowledges the 206th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, honors his discovery of natural selection, and the theory's role as "the foundation for ongoing advances in science, health, <br/> philosophy, art, education, and many other areas of modern life." It also celebrates Darwin's "strength of character" and the "great courage, wisdom and honesty required to explore and publish" his work on evolution, and <strong>deems his birthday "an appropriate day on which to celebrate and to reflect and act on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, and the hunger for truth, which contribute to the well-being of all people."</strong> [emphasis added]<br/> <br/> Like H. Res. 67 and S. Res. 66, the Darwin Day resolutions in Congress, and like Arizona's HR 2002, the resolution in Pennsylvania covers only 2015. There are 19 sponsors of the bill; Brian Sims (D-District 182) and Mark B. Cohen (D-District 202) appear to have taken the lead.<br/> <br/> For information about Pennsylvania's House Resolution 83, visit:<br/> <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&amp;sind=0&amp;body=H&amp;type=R&amp;bn=83">http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&amp;sind=0&amp;body=H&amp;type=R&amp;bn=83</a><br/> <br/> For information about the resolutions in Congress and Arizona, visit:<br/> <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-congress-0016165">http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-congress-0016165</a><br/> <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-senate-0016176">http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-senate-0016176</a><br/> <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-arizona-0016180">http://ncse.com/news/2015/02/darwin-day-resolution-arizona-0016180</a><br/></p> Physician Assisted Suicide.tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-02-27:2182797:Topic:25765562015-02-27T18:36:12.790Zskghttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/SashanGovender
<p> My stance on this is that it should be accepted by the medical community. I am sure I'm not the only one to go through the unfortunate experience of watching a loved one suffer through months of agony before finally passing away. Could this even be called living? I've met a few theists who agree with me, and of course met many more who think no human has the right to call an end to their life. What I was wondering is, are there any atheists who think that as well, obviously without the…</p>
<p> My stance on this is that it should be accepted by the medical community. I am sure I'm not the only one to go through the unfortunate experience of watching a loved one suffer through months of agony before finally passing away. Could this even be called living? I've met a few theists who agree with me, and of course met many more who think no human has the right to call an end to their life. What I was wondering is, are there any atheists who think that as well, obviously without the whole god is the only one who can end life.<br/> I find it especially odd when I live in a country that encourages the death penalty, it is look down upon for someone to end their own life. By following this logic, does that mean to get any relief from bone cancer say, you'd have to become a mass murderer and receive a sentence of death? <br/> Anyway, what do you think? Do you think that someone with a terminal illness should be allowed to decide between keeping on, or dying with dignity and as little pain as possible? Why? </p>